Nursing at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce

Ponce, PR · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $12,033/yr (-84% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 21.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #963 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Nursing graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $550K $550K $519K
Earnings Multiple 21.7x 21.7x 20.4x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 41 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$25,360
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$40,328
-59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,653
18.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,244
201% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $12,033 place Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce below the $75,273 national median for Nursing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 21.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,653 debt load exceeds a year of the $12,033 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #963 out of 990 programs, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $12,033 to $36,244 over five years (201% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce

Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce accepts 90% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 3,827 in Ponce, PR. 81% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce →

Top Career Paths

Nurse anesthetists $223,210/yr
Nurse practitioners $129,210/yr
Nurse midwives $128,790/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce's Nursing program score?
This program scores 41/100 — on the lower end for Nursing. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce Nursing graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.6x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Nursing careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 39% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Nursing earnings lower at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce?
Lower starting pay at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →